Origin
Makawao, HI
Afternoon in Makawao on Tuesday
Local time
4:07 PM
HST
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Makawao, HI to Kēōkea, HI
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
21m
Distance
11.6 mi
19 km
Drive Score
5/10
Practical drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 19m
★
6 AM
0h 21m
8 AM
0h 25m
10 AM
0h 22m
12 PM
0h 22m
3 PM
0h 23m
5 PM
0h 25m
8 PM
0h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Makawao, HI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 11.6-mile drive from Makawao to Kēōkea in Hawaii is easily manageable in about 21 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily navigate via Kula Highway, Makawao Avenue, and Baldwin Avenue, with no highway driving involved. Budget around $3 for fuel for this short journey. The overall feel is that of a local, turn-heavy drive, offering a glimpse into the region's character. Since it's such a brief distance, you'll have plenty of flexibility to explore at your own pace.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
5.8 miles from Makawao, HI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 10m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with the longest uninterrupted stretch being 9.6 miles along Kula Highway. With a 0% highway share, this journey keeps you on local roads for its entirety. The road conditions will likely vary as you transition between Makawao Avenue, Baldwin Avenue, and Kula Highway, offering a dynamic driving experience. You won't encounter any monotonous highway stretches, ensuring your attention remains engaged throughout the approximately 21-minute trip.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 5 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Kula Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 9.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near HI 390 / Baldwin Avenue.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Makawao, HI to Kēōkea, HI is easy. At 21m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (HI 390 / Baldwin Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (HI 365 / Makawao Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2 miles (HI 37 / Kula Highway): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
3 of 3 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
HI 390 / Baldwin Avenue
Turn right onto HI 390 / Baldwin Avenue
Navigation decision point
3
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
HI 365 / Makawao Avenue
Turn right onto HI 365 / Makawao Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
HI 37 / Kula Highway
Turn left onto HI 37 / Kula Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Kula Highway | 9.6 mi | 17m |
| Makawao Avenue | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Baldwin Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Ukiu Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Kula Highway
— 9.6 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Makawao, HI and Kēōkea, HI.
1
Start on Ukiu Road
155 ft
·
9 sec
·
Ukiu Road
2
Turn right onto HI 390
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Baldwin Avenue
3
Turn right onto HI 365
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Makawao Avenue
4
Turn left onto HI 37
9.6 mi
·
17 min
·
Kula Highway
Use the left lane.
5
Arrive at destination
HI 37
Trip Plan
Given the short 11.6-mile distance and 21-minute estimated travel time, this trip offers maximum flexibility. You can depart anytime, but an early morning start might offer cooler temperatures and less traffic. With a minimal fuel cost of $3, refueling isn't a major concern, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Since there are no designated stops mentioned, plan to pull over if you see a point of interest that catches your eye. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to the frequent turns, especially as you transition onto Kula Highway for its longest stretch.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 5.8 miles from Makawao, HI, or about 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 9.6 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 11.6 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 5.8 miles or 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kēōkea, HI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Makawao, HI so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Makawao, HI
This is one driving day of about 11.6 miles and 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Makawao, HI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Kula Highway for about 9.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 5.8 mi from Makawao, HI · 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
6 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 11.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 5.8 miles from Makawao, HI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Kēōkea, HI
The final approach into Kēōkea, HI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Kēōkea, HI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.51 one way
$5.03 round trip
$5.51/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.79 | $2.64 | $5.29 |
| premium | $5.98 | $2.73 | $5.46 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $2.56 | $5.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.5 | 0 | $1.22 | $0.56 |
| Efficient EV | 2.9 | 0 | $1.02 | $0.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.6 | 0 | $1.62 | $0.74 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Kēōkea, HI
Afternoon in Kēōkea on Tuesday
Local time
4:07 PM
HST
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
12 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
21m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Makawao, HI to Kēōkea, HI covers 11.6 miles and takes about 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Kula Highway, Makawao Avenue, Baldwin Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.8 miles from Makawao, HI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.51 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Makawao, HI to Kēōkea, HI is easy. At 21m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (HI 390 / Baldwin Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (HI 365 / Makawao Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 2 miles (HI 37 / Kula Highway): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Makawao, HI to Kēōkea, HI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
More from Makawao, HI
Explore more options from Makawao, HI or browse trips ending in Kēōkea, HI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse HI road trips.
Explore maps for Makawao, HI or Kēōkea, HI on MapSof.net.